Northwest Fishing Reports

I am trying to gauge the interest for a small boat fishing club.(also to include float tubes) The parameters will be listed below. The goal of this club will be to have tournaments that the beginner or "low budget" kinda guy can fish in and be competitive!!!

The tournaments would be on small to medium sized lakes. Some examples would be Shoecraft, Flowing, Sawyer, Meridian, Goodwin, Big lakes. Probably the club would have to be affiliated with either BASS or FLW for the insurance issues. I have been told that a club can get the insurance outside of that cheaper but still researching!!!!(again is there any interest) I think there will have to be a membership fee(small $20-$50) to cover some of the expense and with that said a small fee for each tournament. Monthly meetings and a certain amount of participation(50% of tournaments) I don't want this to be a "money" tournament thing(low budget,beginners) but maybe plaques for the top 3 finishers. Big fish pot(rules will vary for float tubers) The real goal is to be able to fish with a group of guys, have fun, share an interest in catching bass. In a perfect world everyone would share all their secrets but..............hopefully at least everyone would contribute to others in the club.

Understand that all of this is just an idea in the planning stages. Your ideas and participation will really be what determines the finial product. Because nothing has really been made official my thoughts where to start to with some "fish In's". Pick a lake and a date and fish as a group, since we won't have a permit. If we can get a core of at least 6 or 8 guys I think we could really get this thing off the ground. I would like to pick a date in early May if I can just get even a small response.

OK here is basic idea of "small boat" requirements"

#1 Boat is 16' or less with an engine of no more then 30hp.(remember smaller lakes.........well maybe 1 a year on big water???)

#2 Float tubes and such would also be welcome. ( have an idea for weighing and releasing that I believe would work........lets hear your ideas)

#3 Tournaments would be from first light until 1 hr before sundown.(never could understand quitting at 2pm)

#4 Figure 2 tournaments a month May- October. (maybe 2 that are "overnight" 2 day'ers)

#5 This is not the dam Classic so..............really the main goal is to have fun, improve technique and have some good old ball breaking at the end of the day.


If this sounds like a good idea, got suggestions or you want to play let me know!!!!! If you want yak on the phone shoot me a pm with your NO# or call me at 425-281-8438.


We have already got a start to this, I have cut and pasted this from another site if you wanna see how the first one went take a look here!!!! http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/washi ... ed-up.html


We are looking to do another fish in on the 18th of April not sure where yet but please call if you have an interest or wanna come hang out


PS We have powered and non-powered class since this was started. Most all of the power guys are willing to pull or ride another fella to farther reaches if they want. Remember it friendly fun!!!

One of the things we discussed when we were putting the Puget Sound Float Tube Club together is the huge difference in fishing from a tube and fishing with any motorized boat - the amount of water you can cover.

Even with a low-thrust trolling motor, you can move 10 times faster than a float tube. Throw in some wind and that number climbs almost exponentially. And in a tournament situation, the amount of water you can cover is a huge benefit.

If you're looking for a low-cost group, come to the next PGFTC meeting or come to one of the fishing trips with us. We're spending all of 2009 as a "dry run" (no fees) to see how much interest we can generate. It's tubes/pontoons only (no motors at all) just to even the playing field, but just based off the group we already have interested it'll be as competitive as a boat club. And we all talk a LOT of crap hehe....

AaronE wrote:One of the things we discussed when we were putting the Puget Sound Float Tube Club together is the huge difference in fishing from a tube and fishing with any motorized boat - the amount of water you can cover.

Even with a low-thrust trolling motor, you can move 10 times faster than a float tube. Throw in some wind and that number climbs almost exponentially. And in a tournament situation, the amount of water you can cover is a huge benefit.

If you're looking for a low-cost group, come to the next PGFTC meeting or come to one of the fishing trips with us. We're spending all of 2009 as a "dry run" (no fees) to see how much interest we can generate. It's tubes/pontoons only (no motors at all) just to even the playing field, but just based off the group we already have interested it'll be as competitive as a boat club. And we all talk a LOT of crap hehe....

Understand all that.....that is why we decided to go to classes powered and non-powered. This has been posted on 5 other sites for about a month. I personally have no interest in tube fishing at this time. (yes I have one yes I have used it a lot in the past) The biggest reason I had not posted this here was because of the float tube club, I received a no# of calls from kayak and pontoon fellows that DID NOT want to do the float club. I honestly did not ask why??? One fellow felt that it was mainly a south end kinda thing. Bottom line is though we hope to get enough people to commit to go ahead and affiliated that is not really the goal. I want to offer a club and FRIENDLY competition that brand new people or guys who TRULY want to just have fun and learn to fish bass have a place. I have fished big clubs in 3 different states, I can see where a new guy or a guy with a smaller boat can feel like I GOT NO CHANCE. When I was in Wisconsin I fished in my first small boat club and it was a real kick. I feel like we have to some level of competition, but only for the right to break balls.(maybe a little plaque) I say a lot of maybes only because I want all you come to help figure out what WE WANT. If a guy has the want to try to go to the classic this will not be a good fit, unless this is his starting point. If guys get a start here and want to go to the next level WOO HOO. I have just talked to to many guys with small boats that are intimated by the status quo Bass clubs. May not fly at all but............there has been a lot of interest.

Just for what it is worth I will tell a little about me so guys got an idea. I see lots of guys looking at this thread and not posting so......I grew up in San Diego CA about 10miles from Sweetwater and Lower Otay Resv. I started fishing bass at about 10yrs old. My dad started me young fishing at 1 1/2yrs. At twelve I started working on sportfishing boats. GED at 15 to go fishing. Capt. lis at 19. Ran sportfishing boats local,overnight and long range. Owned and fished commerical boat up and down the West Coast,South Pacific and Hawaii. Sold the last boat in 2000. I have fished for a living and at competition level very high. Bass fishing is supposed to be fun(with ball breaking rights) To end all this I personally don't care if I ever get " ball breaking rights" as long as we can fish safely and everyone improves and most importantly has FUN.

Troy

If any of you have an interest or just want to talk fishing call 425-281-8438 love to hear from you!!!

Good luck on your venture fishnazzi. I am sure our two groups can only help each other as we grow. I do agree that the bigger clubs can be intimidating and I am sure your experience will only help the Small Boat Club move in a good forward direction. I look forward in hearing reports and updates as you get it all together. This is our first time trying to put something like this together so anything we can learn is always a benefit and hopefully our two groups will be able to share our positives and negatives as we go through growing pains. Feel free to shoot me a message if you need anything.

Jay

I would have been interested in this last summer or maybe a few months ago. I have a 15ft closed bow. Main issue I guess would be the 55hp Johnson on it. I would say the Mfg Max HP should be the limiting factor once you establish the length rule. Some would say I would have an unfair advantage over those with smaller motors, then Id have to agree with AaronE "Even with a low-thrust trolling motor, you can move 10 times faster than a float tube."

I can see where a float or toon might not want to be around motors of any size, lots of toes in the water.

Anyway, I do like the "Small Boat" idea. I joined a club that has alot of nice boats, experienced anglers, and was very established. Yea, very intimidating for a newbie with a small boat.

But.... I just bought a 16.5 with a 115 on it so it kinda pushes me way out of the "Small Boat Club" vessel limits.

Just a thought, to really differentiate the Small Boat idea, the boats should meet the requirement of "Removable Gas Engine" and have half of the events on lakes that restrict gas motors. That should even things up a bit.

Nice responses..............Jay absolutely I think we should share info.........I believe that there is room for all. This to is my first time trying to organize such a thing. I think that really the guys I'm looking for are not so much on any of these sites...........YET. Meet some guys out on the water at tackle shops etc. I will be in touch with you!!!


Ray and everyone the limits on the IDEA are just a STARTING point. The 16' rule seems to be one that all are willing to work with the horse power, right now we are still working on!!!! The power and non-power WOULD NOT be competing against each other thous 2 division!!!!! We have a no# of people who are already on board with both categories.

Really this is still in flux. If this base idea sounds good to you give me a call remember that nothing is in stone yet and participating will help it to be what you want!!!

I like the idea of the non $40,000, 80 mph bass boats. Nothing wrong with that, but it's nice to tone it down some. Sounds like a great idea. This is of course coming from a float tube guy ;)

[quote="BassDood"]I like the idea of the non $40,000, 80 mph bass boats. Nothing wrong with that, but it's nice to tone it down some. Sounds like a great idea. This is of course coming from a float tube guy ]

That was one of the reasons for getting a Float Tube Club together ... not that I wouldn’t greatly enjoy a $40,000 bass boat but it is just not anywhere in my near or even further away future for me. But none the less getting a group of like minded people fishing together was the main reason the propels us forward. Our April meeting is coming up on the 28th hope to see you there BassDood!

Looks like we will be fishing this weekend!!!!!!!!!!! Call if you want to participate.!!!!!

=d> [quote="BassDood"]I like the idea of the non $40,000, 80 mph bass boats. Nothing wrong with that, but it's nice to tone it down some. Sounds like a great idea. This is of course coming from a float tube guy ] hey now i heard that bd if ya go to the derby i take ya for a ride it will make ya smile:cheers: :compress: :compress: but i do know whatcha mean =d> =d> =d> =d> =d>

revised date it seems that more people are available on Sunday then Saturday so we are fishing Sunday!!!!!!!! North of Everett and south of Mt. Vernon give me a call if you want to attend.............looks like 4 boats for sure plus a hand full waiting on permission from their wives.

flippinfool wrote:=d&gt]I like the idea of the non $40,000, 80 mph bass boats. Nothing wrong with that, but it's nice to tone it down some. Sounds like a great idea. This is of course coming from a float tube guy ;)

hey now i heard that bd if ya go to the derby i take ya for a ride it will make ya smile:cheers: :compress: :compress: but i do know whatcha mean =d> =d> =d> =d> =d> [/quote]

LOL Been in a few and it does make me smile. I enjoy it :thumleft:

BassDood wrote:

flippinfool wrote:=d&gt]I like the idea of the non $40,000, 80 mph bass boats. Nothing wrong with that, but it's nice to tone it down some. Sounds like a great idea. This is of course coming from a float tube guy ;)

hey now i heard that bd if ya go to the derby i take ya for a ride it will make ya smile:cheers: :compress: :compress: but i do know whatcha mean =d> =d> =d> =d> =d>

LOL Been in a few and it does make me smile. I enjoy it :thumleft: [/quote] right on bassdood i hope to see at the derby

fishnazzi wrote:revised date it seems that more people are available on Sunday then Saturday so we are fishing Sunday!!!!!!!! North of Everett and south of Mt. Vernon give me a call if you want to attend.............looks like 4 boats for sure plus a hand full waiting on permission from their wives.

The women seem to be winning.................Man up america(or at least WA)

OK well the weather looks great for Sunday..........WE ARE fishing!!!! The line up keeps changing because the wives seem to be winning on this wonderful sunny day. If you can get away and join us please give me a call!!!!! We even have 1 fellow who will be showing to fish a half a day after lunch.........

hope you all well however bass tourneys are closely watched by WDFW. To legally put one on you must apply for the tournament for that specific lake. I don't know all the specifics but just giving you a heads up on what I know.

Understand that part.............with that said that is why we are having fish in's they are informal and really just a get together!!!! You are correct must have a tourney permit and insurance. ( hopefully that will be an issue in 2010) With that said ................Sorry it has taken me almost a week to get something posted from last Sunday. We had 4 small boat fellows show up. Fishing was pretty slow for us I managed 2 small bucks and a suicide bomber trout who ate a hula grub. Phil had the big fish at about 3 1/2 lbs. Our other 2 fellows Jack and Chuck put up the flag and headed for home around noon. Hoping to get some more guys or the same group together for another fish in May 2nd if you would like to come please give me a call at 425-281-8438.........Please call work has been brutal haven't been getting on the computer a lot don't want anyone to feel forgotten!!!